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Anurans are indicators of ecosystem health and have important functions in natural food webs. Studies on anurans in Agusan marsh are very scarce particularly inside the protected area. In order to understand the prey selection of anurans within the Agusan marsh habitat we examined the diet of seven anuran species and analyzed a total of 71 samples. From the stomach contents we found plant remains, shed-skin fragments, animals and animal fragments. We identified a total of 26 prey items. Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Arachnida, Orthoptera, insect debris/shed skin and plant materials were found to be the abundant prey items. Plants were frequently observed in most species examined although in small amount. Results showed that Fejervarya cancrivora (Crab-eating frog), Limnonectes leytensis (Swamp frog), Rhinella marina (Cane toad), Polypedates leucomystax (Common tree frog) and Kaloula conjuncta meridionalis (Philippine Narrowmouth toad), have broad dietary diversity, indicating a generalist active feeding and opportunistic foraging behavior. Rhacophorus appendiculatus (Rough-armed tree frog) and Occidozyga laevis (Puddle frog) consumed fewer food items implying that these species are specialist passive feeders. The most consistently observed diet items in the frog samples in Agusan marsh were Hemiptera (bugs) and Hymenoptera (ants) found in all frog species examined. Coleoptera (bettles) was found in 90% of the samples while Orthoptera (grasshoppers), Isoptera (termites) and Diptera (mosquitoes) were found in 70% of the samples examined. Gastropoda, Decapoda, Siphonoptera, Scolopendromorpha, Mecoptera, Dermaptera, and Protozoa were seldom observed. The results indicate that anurans that are specialist feeders need to be monitored especially the vulnerable R. appendiculatus because any alteration of the habitat can affect the animals particularly the invertebrate prey of this threatened frog. The Agusan marsh as a protected wetland area must be strictly and properly managed to ensure sustainability of the remaining endemic wildlife especially the anurans and their preys.
Feeding, Wetlands, Prey, Frogs, Toads
Feeding, Wetlands, Prey, Frogs, Toads
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